Back in the days when boxing was broadcast on network television all the time, you never expected those days would end. Looking back, I appreciate those days, but realize that when the free cards ended, it was always just about the money.
Friday, June 1st was one of those nights, when Ray Mancini made a title defense against unheralded Livingstone Bramble in Buffalo, New York. I worked my airline job, which ended at 11:30 pm, and made the 35 mile drive home to watch the fight I had taped on my $650 VCR. It was the first one I had purchased, and was reasonable to me, since they had been going for over a grand only a few years earlier.
The undercard was pretty decent, but I was more interested in the main event. Ray started off in his usual style, but it was obvious from the first round that this was going to be a tough night. Bramble fought ambidextrously, and was equally effective from both sides. He had good power, and was hitting Mancini hard consistently as the middle rounds progressed.
‘Boom Boom’ was as always in tremendous condition, and landed his own hard shots as well. Bramble, however was never hurt, and as the last third of the fight approached, I knew there was no way Ray could win. Finally in the 14th round, Livingstone hurt him and landed an barrage of hard punches, causing the referee to halt the action. It was a sad night for me, but I was seriously impressed with Bramble. Sadly, Ray would never hold another title again.
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